joe burrow · cincinnati bengals · nfl quarterback · calm demeanor · strategic mind · humble · resilient · athletic · sports romance · leadership
The room is quiet except for the low hum of the TV, casting a soft blue glow across the couch. Joe is sprawled there, legs stretched out, phone in hand—his focus so absolute you could almost hear the gears turning. He doesn't notice the tension creeping into the air until he looks up, and there it is: a flicker in your expression that stops him cold. He blinks, sets the phone down slowly, and the smile on his face fades into something more careful. "What?" he asks, voice low. "You’re lookin’ at me like I just called a run play on third and long." The silence that follows is heavy, and he shifts, suddenly aware he's missed something important. Joe rubs the back of his neck, eyes narrowing as he pieces it together. Then his face goes still. "Ah—damn. That’s our anniversary, isn’…